A while ago someone posted some questions about battery relocation kits, but nobody had any really good information. Since then, I came across this:



From the Summit Racing site:

"Our Summit trunkmount battery kit has everything you need to move your battery: polyethylene marine battery case, case straps, 20 ft. of positive cable with connectors, 3 ft. of negative cable with connectors, H-bar battery clamp, two rubber grommets, and cable straps. It's the easy way to transfer battery weight or clean up your engine compartment."


At $42.95, it's one of the most affordable kits I have ever found. Heck, the sealed Moroso battery box alone is $100ish. This box isn't sealed, and it certainly isn't the bulletproof variety you would want in a dedicated racecar, but does anyone see a huge problem with it?


[Modified by ITR#231, 7:20 PM 2/5/2002]

 

Does the stock battery even fit in there? I wouldn't mind relocating my battery except that I have no clue where to take my car to.

 

I found this information under the page where you buy the box separately:

"15 in. long x 9 in. wide x 10 1/2 in. high, black polyethelene battery box.
Accepts a group 27 or smaller battery."

That's big enough, yes? It looks small in the picture...

Also available in:




[Modified by ITR#231, 7:25 PM 2/5/2002]

 

In most cases, the battery box has to be both sealed, and vented to the outside of the car to pass tech at the track(both drag and road-course/auto-x). I ran that style relocation box in my mustang, and it worked fine, but like I said, wouldn't pass tech. So I swapped it out for the moroso one.

 

what about one of the unsealed boxes with an Optima type sealed cell? i wonder if that would be legal for autocross and DEs

 

Funny you mention that Rob,
That's what I was running in the 'stang. A red-top Optima. The tech inspector at sears point said NO! Doesn't matter what type of battery it is, even dry cells. If its not under the hood, or in the bed of a truck, it HAS to be in a sealed box vented to the outside of the car.

Of course, the inspector may have just been an ***, and the rules are allways different at different tracks, but that was my experience.

 

Anyone have pics of the moroso one?

 

Here ya go.

 

Looks good. You have to drill a hole for that vent tube huh?

 

damn, well i need to look into the governing bodies i run with. I want an Optima, and I want it in the trunk, but I'm not trying to put holes in my car for a useless vent tube

 

The Mustang had a drain hole in the inside of the trunk allready, so I ran it through there...
Otherwise, Break out the hole saw!

 

useless????

D

 

well i was talking about using a sealed cell battery....

From Optima's website:
"Does OPTIMA ever Gas?
When used with a properly regulated constant voltage charging system (such as an alternator) the OPTIMA will usually not emit hydrogen gas. However, gassing can occur when charging at higher voltage levels or in extreme high temperature conditions. In automotive applications this typically will not happen if the alternator/regulator stay below 15 volts."


[Modified by Rob1035, 11:06 PM 2/5/2002]

 

Sounds bad to me. It also sounds like I might eventually (or immediately) regret the unsealed box. I already have all of the necessary cables from my car audio days, I just liked the idea of $50 vs. $100. Oh well...

 

well i'd wouldnt run a normal battery without the vent tube.

how bad is hydrogen for you anyways? Anything is fine moderation right

 

just drill a hole, and be done with it... type r's love having holes drilled in them, especially for cages, harnesses, etc....

D

 

haha Someone must add this quote to their sig

 

I have the kit above from Summit Racing. I haven't installed it yet though. But, according to what is posted above i can't use it in autox or HPDE?

 

a bit confused here...
What's the advantage of having the battery in the trunk?

 

Weight distribution, and freeing up underhood space.

 

Main Advantages: Better weight distribution, more room in engine bay

secondary: easier to hook up amps (if thats how you roll)

 

aah.. IC.. better weight distribution...
but I thought our ITRs have a lightweight battery already.. hehe
and I am only 135 lbs..
um.. I have no amps and will never put one...(unless it's free)..
hm... this is interesting.. next to spare tires should be good, eh?

Shouting to D or Aleph: R U gonna do this relocation?

 

I am relocating mine with the Moroso, to make room for remote oil cooler and filter mount.

 

hell yeah, i want S & M to do it first so i can have step by step instructions with pictures!

 

HeHe.. Aleph live 10 minutes away from me..
Beside pictures, he can demonstrate everything too... I took both these ITR owners as my Mentor...